5 animal shelters collaborate for Keep Austin’s Dogs Weird adoption event

Five Austin-area shelters are joining together to host an adoption event called Keep Austin’s Dogs Weird on July 2.

The shelters—Austin Pets Alive, Austin Animal Center, Austin Humane Society, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and Georgetown Animal Shelter—will each have their own hours of operation and adoption specials. Austin Pets Alive is offering a pay-what-you-want policy for all dogs over six months old.

Representatives from each shelter have expressed concern about overcrowding, especially with large dogs. Lack of space has led other shelters throughout Texas to consider euthanasia as a solution.

“Five years ago, the Austin City Council was proud to vote in favor of a save rate of 95% of animals entering Austin shelters,” Austin City Council Member Leslie Pool said in a press release. “I hope people in Austin will continue to show their support for Austin’s no-kill status by adopting a kitten, puppy, cat or dog this weekend from an Austin-area shelter.”

These Austin-area shelters have hopes of getting hundreds of dogs adopted before summer temperatures rise and Fourth of July fireworks boom, according to a press release.

“Because of overcrowding, Austin’s animal shelters are facing a greater need than before, and we hope people will visit any of the local shelters on Saturday and welcome animals into their homes,” Austin Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard said.